How To Develop Good Attitudes

Vegetable craving @ Tirunelveli

3 March 2012 

In this world, "attitude" is a buzzword linking it to anything connected with a person. 

One's mental attitude (whether positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy) is said to be a prime factor for success in any area. (any kind of work  or in relationships.) 

You've seen the motivational posters with the following jargans:

• A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.

• A positive attitude is a powerful force.

• Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

In fact, the emphasis on an internal positive attitude can devolve into mere egotistical, since it doesn't require dependence on God or others.

But Bible has many posters to motivate and instrumental for our daily life’s activities.

• “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:4-5

•  "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." Ephesians 4:22

Let us see some of the tips to develop or tune your attitude.

A proper Christian attitude is always being happy or joyful in the Lord—(sometimes in outward denial of challenging realities). 

Attitude has to be more than just happy feelings. 
Develop it (It is very easy to write but a tough job to master). 

               1.Identify and be regretful for Bad Attitudes

Attitude is an issue of one's temperament, personality, emotion, or out look- the forth coming thoughts,words and action are the reflextions of that attitude( good or bad)

• "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." Acts 8:22

Our negative thoughts are to be dealt with by an strong will power. stop negative thought pattern.

Replace our thoughts with corresponding, constructive, action, thoughts, create a positive thought.
             2.Submit Your Attitudes to God

Take God's power within your lives. God will give us the spiritual power and ability, but we must choose to do His will.

• "Set our minds on things above." Colossians 3:2

 God commands us to do it! 
He will give us all the ability and help we need, but we must do it.

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. 
Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to Jesus  Christ.  
A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.

• "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5

             3.Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to (good and virtuous things). If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

• "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

Good attitude (Christ-centered) is  more precious than gold and rubies

God bless

Hope

Wax Begonias @ Tirunelveli

2 March 2012 

Hope is the vital thing a person must have 'inside' as a source of energy (from which we can draw power).That is the only plus -point for us( hope in God). 

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

What is hope? 

The modern idea of hope is:

•   to wish for, to expect, (without certainty of the fulfillment)

•   to desire very much, (with no real assurance of getting your desire)

“Hope” in Scripture means different:

•   It is a strong and ‘confident expectation’.

God is called “the God of Hope.” This means He is the source of all our hope. If we have hope (confident expectation), it must come from God (He alone has the power to offer it to us).

 In the Bible, hope is never a static or passive thing. 

It is dynamic, vibrant, active, directive and life sustaining. This is not what the Bible means by hope.

 The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation." Hope is a firm assurance regarding matters that are unclear and unknown and mysterious in life.

  'For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see..Hebrews 11:1

 Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous

  'There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

Without hope, life loses its real meaning. 

 “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”Lamentations 3:18

The righteous, who have hope in God, have a general confidence in God's protection and help - and they are free from fear and anxiety.

 where then is my hope—who can see any hope for me? Jeremiah 29:11

 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging Psalm 46:2-3

If you are without Christ, you are without God and without hope.

God Bless

Tips for a good behavior

Orange in my Home Garden @Tirunelveli

1 March 2012 

Be dependable. 

Be a trust worthy person to people, whom trust you. Take the burden (if shared) and do not unload to others, where it will spread like a  news. 
Try to be  a confident person by not revealing the matters of others, to be leaked out.  
Learn to respect the secrets of people.

Don't keep enemies.

 Paul  said in the, Bible:"Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry."Getting angry and emotional disturbed state is common state for a human being.
 If you gone 'far –off'  or in the wrong side, apologize sincerely. 
Don't hold grudges. Forgive.
 Let the sun shine without guilt.

 

Constantly learn.

Learning follows wherever we go- starting from home to any hi-tech matters. The aptitude to learn is a good . The more you learn, the more you can learn. We have a large world before us. Pick out high-quality matters to be taught .Beware of filthy aspects.

Give grace to others.

Let your words be soft and filled with grace. When your mind is overflowing with excellent  thoughts, there is no way to spill  hurting on others.   
Don’t get mad at every small thing. 

Choose your arguments wisely. 
Exercise compassion and mercy.

Finally…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8.

Various personality traits are there for reading but adopt the one which suits you.

Be a sincere person in all your endeavours.

God Bless

Tips for a good behavior

Beautiful flower with its fruit @ Kodaikanal garden

28 February 2012  

I came across these, while browsing on line and found it useful. 
With some modifications done , I like to post it here (ie my own thoughts also were incorporated) 
Hope it is useful.

 Tell the truth.

Do not be scapegoat hiding all the facts and truths. 
Honesty always wins.Actually there is no bigger trick in relationship  (inter-personal or intra- personal) than dishonesty. 
If you're afraid that being honest ,it will backfire , sometimes, honesty could be painful too. If you make it a point of having no reason to lie, honesty comes naturally ( it is a mind-set- very precious one to acquire).

Be on time.

Punctuality should be in your nerves. –Being ‘behind schedule’ ( in all aspects) can make the situation very uncomfortable. It's always good to write down appointments, meetings, and get-together on a calendar or planner. 

Work on self-discipline.

Self discipline is an important for acquiring a good personality. Be on your guard to accomplish the task in time. Don't postpone. Do it and do a good job(without a back drop). When you have self-discipline and know you can get things done, it becomes natural.

 

List your values. 

Evaluating your life is a good way to see who you are. What are your strong points? What are your weakness? How can you do better? Asking good questions of yourself can search out for a good thinking and plan to work on.

 

Live for a greater purpose. 

God has a purpose for you. Find something you really believe in. Read your Bible. 'Take in' the word of God.  Pray to God daily. Serve the society. Do something for environment. Adapt to good habits and try to ‘Go- Green’ with an 'Eco –friendly' policy. 

 

Challenge yourself.

 Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "We are always getting ready to live but never living."Set aside the things that troubles you or put you on nerves. Remove stress and learn to be cool. Have a clear mind and definite principles to adapt in life.  You aren't really living ( if you don't try new things).
 

Take challenges yourself.

Keep going in life.
 Life is full of extremities.

 Take it in a right spirit .Enjoy

'Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2. 

God bless 
(....cond)

I Am That I Am

Mist on mountain top @ Kodaikanal

26 February 2012

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: ……Exodus 3:14

This unique name of God was given to stress the truth that He is eternal and everlasting .The name "LORD" conveys the truth that He is the eternal,  the existing One.

 Read out a collection of great "I am's" in the gospel of John- they are rich with spiritual meaning and can be listed as follows:

 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35.

‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. John 6:51

 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12

"I am the door of the sheep" John 10:7

“I am the good shepherd. …… lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;" John 11:25

 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

" I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener" John 15:1

These verses help us to pray more enthusiastically "that God may be all in all" 1 Corinthians 15:28.

 

'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13

Praise God

Precious shelter.

Pink Anthurium in my home garden @ Tirunelveli

26 February 2012  

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings...Psalm 17:8

It is really a deep cry from the heart of a person, for protection (divine protection). World actually toss us invariably with multitude of uncertainties and insecurities.The natural attitude is to resort for solutions in a direct way or in a indirect route.

Some time all doors are seemingly closed for further proceedings. we are really helpless.

 

Ask Jesus to help you out and see the difference. Read some of the verses:

• "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

• ’For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

•  ‘Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7

• ‘The LORD bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24

• 'He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1  

• 'In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye,   Deuteronomy 32:10

• Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:2

When we started to face the challenges (life's trials and tribulations) and begins by presenting our Savior as "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" none in this worldly things can surpass you. 

• 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1. 

'We may be vulnerable and helpless on our own,(unable to trust anybody) but God with His unfailing love and grace beckons us to 

• "the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16.
  

• "God hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee . . . we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man may do unto me" Hebrews 13:5-6.

• 'We can pray with David, "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings" (Psalm 17:8).

The one to whom we pray will answer, for He is Jesus, the lover of the soul.'

God our Father will, Keep you as the apple of His eye - Preserve you and guard you  from the perils of life.

Hold on  and be protected in the Shadow of His Wings

God bless

Take grudge off your mind

awesome vegetable craving@ Tirunelveli

25February 2012  

The best way to deal with a grudge is to stop thinking about the grudge and focus on other important targets in life. This will give us satisfaction and self-worth from accomplishing these goals. 

Do not dwell on the grudge-  
push ahead and create a satisfying life. 
we will feel less frustrated , less angry and less tensed 
therein our mind is  cleared and lifted out of the grudge. 

 how to deviate  form Grudging?

• Divert the focus on taking more responsibility or else 
• resort to a hobby or 
• take a time out from work place or 
• opt for relaxation. 
• It will pay you and our need to blame will dissolve.

 Do not taint (spoil) your happiness by being ungracious. Hate begets hate. Happiness begets happiness. 

 Try to improve your behaviour and change your personality traits. It all the mind-set that matters.

Holding a grudge is a mental than physical aspect which includes- a bad relationship, poor self image, abuse, stress, frustration -changes our attitude towards life. 

Such tendencies are deep-rooted in mind and nurtured by excessive Negative Emotions.

Reduce  the Negative Emotions and try to focus on the enhancement of your inner ability. It is a tough job to do.

 God has called us to a higher standard—that is forgiveness. We need to forgive those who have wronged us as quickly as possible, giving up revenge and to hold a grudge. 
Jesus told us , "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him" Mark 11:25

• 'Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

• 'Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

In general we may not be able to forget or forgive so easily but God can give us the strength and He is very willing to help us.

• 'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29,

• 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10,

• 'I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippianas 4:13,

NOW  turning around to a new side, try to be away from the following:

• 'Do not be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

• 'See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15-16

• 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

• 'A gentle answer turns away wrath,  but a harsh word stirs up anger. 15:1

• 'Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Psalms 37:8-9

• 'Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

•  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Adorn yourself with  good qualities.

• 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22-23      

God bless

Grudge-turn to other side

Wax-begonias @Tirunelveli home garden

24 February 2012  

Grudge is a contagious disease- until and unless it is controlled with apt medication, it shows its original colour. 

As long as we hold onto our feeling of resentment, we  are liable to live every day with a bad feeling and we will become(more and more) bitter and un-happy. Practically  speaking we are sick(‘mentally ill’).

 Grudges destroy relationships. Once started to develop cracks it is impossible to build or repair any relationship, between any person or anywhere.

 

More beyond that, grudges destroy us from the inside. When we hold onto  the grudges, they weigh us down and tear us apart as a  bitter, frustrated individuals.

Bearing a grudge and seeking revenge are never appropriate responses to a perceived wrong. A grudge destroys the grudge-holder with bitterness, and revenge only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversary, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit an act of revenge.

Jesus said there is no place for hatred, having a feel of resentment, revenge, retaliation(revenge) in the life of a Christian:

•  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. Matthew 5:38-40

•  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45

The scriptures refer instead to loving your neighbor as yourself and forgiving others as you have been forgiven by God so as to prevent any bitterness from growing.

• 'For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Galatians 5:14,

• 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31,

God can help you out.

 God can give us the strength to do it and He is very willing to help us if we will come to Him and just ask. 

God Bless

..cond